The Stages of Practicing the Thirty-Seven Factors of Enlightenment

The sequence of practice for the Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment is generally as follows: Beginning with the cultivation of the Faculty of Faith, the first of the Five Faculties, one strengthens the Five Powers. Then, entering the Noble Eightfold Path, one initiates contemplative practice, cultivates the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, and within the Factor of Mindfulness, practices the contemplation on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Attaining the flavor of wholesome dharmas, one gives rise to the Four Right Efforts. Finally, through diligent and arduous practice, one achieves the blissful fruit of the Four Bases of Spiritual Power, whereby the mind attains liberation and mastery.

Within the Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment, each aid is not only something the conscious mind must cultivate and attain, but it also perfumes the mental faculty (manas). This causes the mental faculty to also cultivate the Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment, enabling it to become fully complete and perfect, attain each aid, and accomplish the Four Bases of Spiritual Power.